Fiat Ducato Base 2.3 130bhp vs 150bhp

[robnchris]

just been for a test drive in my next van which has the 3 litre 160hp engine pulling the same weight as my current van- difference was immediately apparent, and no cambelt to worry about. It's a no brainer as far as I am concerned

How old is the van, the 3 litre engines suffered from the reverse judder problem and according to the person we spoke to at Fiat when we had ours tested, yes the vehicle did have the reverse judder problem, sorry we don`t have a fix for it like we do with the 2.3 engines, so we sold it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Why wouldn`t Fiat fix a problem, we have had since the remap a new Instrument Cluster, new air bag sensor and a new DPF sensor all fitted by Fiat all under warranty.

If you have a major engine fault and they interigate the ECU the chances are they will find out it's been chipped, just not worth the risk with new engines around £8k.

 

[MillieMoocher]

I know the question is 130 vs 150, but have you thought about the 180 Euro 6?

We have the 180 and comfortmatic and to me seems a good combination, especially as it’s now loosening up .

Mpg wise, I just use the on screen display which shows 25.9 mpg over the recent 882 mile trip.

 

[gerry mcg]

I know the question is 130 vs 150, but have you thought about the 180 Euro 6?

We have the 180 and comfortmatic and to me seems a good combination, especially as it’s now loosening up .

Mpg wise, I just use the on screen display which shows 25.9 mpg over the recent 882 mile trip.

IIRC the 180hp engine was a big step up in price over the £1200 extra for the 150 motor. I couldn't justify the extra expense - the 150 hp engine was the Goldilocks engine IMO

 

[MillieMoocher]

Fair point @gerry mcg , our van was bought “off the forecourt” so I had no idea as to the extra cost of the 180. You are probably right that the 150 is the sweet spot in the range taking the extra cost of the 180 into account.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Fair point @gerry mcg , our van was bought “off the forecourt” so I had no idea as to the extra cost of the 180. You are probably right that the 150 is the sweet spot in the range taking the extra cost of the 180 into account.

I paid €1200 (less 20% discount) the one 180 is over €3000 more than the 130.

 

[thidwick]

We have a 2018 reg Hobby Optima @ 3500 kg GVW. Has Fiat 2.3 Euro 6 130 engine and manual gearbox.
Only done about 1700 miles so far, and the mpg (worked out on brim-brim) is gradually increasing. Started at about 26mpg, and now averaging about 28-29 mpg as the engine runs in. I’m expecting, and hoping, the mpg will continue to increase a little more.
Interestingly, the displayed “trip” mpg is generally pretty darn close to the brim to brim figures. We’ve just come back from some days around Norfolk and Lincolnshire where the “trip” figures were indicating 30-31 mpg average. Not so great in Yorkshire and Cumbria on the way home though. (Away from the flatlands!).
We bought the Hobby off the forecourt rather than speccing it ourselves. I guess if I had specified an order then I’d have gone for the 150 version. As regards power, it does need some working of the gearbox, but overall i’m very happy with it. I do have a relaxed attitude to driving, and never like to be in a rush. (Retired from rushing!)
Whichever way, the mpg and apparent power is greater than our old van with the Merc 2.9 litre engine and the auto gearbox.

 

[Flatlander]

Same vans, both new. One has a 130 engine, the other a 150. How much more expensive would the 150 be?

 

[Lenny HB]

Same vans, both new. One has a 130 engine, the other a 150. How much more expensive would the 150 be?

€1200/£1000.

 

[Lenny HB]

Driven up a few mountains with lots of hairpins this week, engine & gearbox performed faultlessly.
Only had the van a year and only done 8000 miles but for the last week it has been going a lot better. The gearbox is now working a lot better that the last van on steep hills, I think the must have updated the gearbox software.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Flatlander]

I paid €1200 (less 20% discount) the one 180 is over €3000 more than the 130.

I wasnt sure of the cost, but, by my way of thinking, its better to get the 130, then remap/chip it (which shouldn't affect the ECU if done correctly) to 150 or even 180 for around £250.

 

[Lenny HB]

I wasnt sure of the cost, but, by my way of thinking, its better to get the 130, then remap/chip it (which shouldn't affect the ECU if done correctly) to 150 or even 180 for around £250.

Not worth the risk with engines at 8k a pop, if you have an engine problem these days they can tell if an external chip has been used and refuse a warranty claim.
The 150 is not just chipped it has a variable vane turbo and beefier brakes. And if you have the Comformatic the box will be set up differently.

 

[Flatlander]

@Lenny HB I'll give my opinion of the 130 when I have finished my meanderings in the swiss alps in 3 weeks time…

 

[Jill]

Update.
Picked up our new Burstner yesterday. Settled for the 130bhp from Camper UK due to having good vibes from the sales team and them doing an excellent deal for us. Drove the 300 miles home and on board calculator showed 30+ mpg which we're delighted with. 1st proper outing next weekend - can't wait!

 

[pelican]

How much is the 130bhp against the 150 BHP, got to be £1200 to £1400, then do the maths like we did, buy a 130 and get it remapped which will take it to more than 150 and cost around £350.
It`s a no brainer really as they are the same engine.

Hi
Could I ask you what MPG you get as I have a similar van and thinking of remapping currenty 25 mpg on computer

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[AXO66]

Ford transit mk5 150bhp drives really well. Ariund 1800 rpm at 60mph in 6th.occasionally have to change down on the steeper motorway hills. mpg now averaging 30mpg off the trip computer. 10000k on the clock.

Where does the torque figure come into this discussion. I rightly or wrongly think the greater the torque at any rpm means more grunt and less fiddling with the gears?

So if deciding bewtwen 130 or 150 bhps have a look at the tourque figures to see the percentage difference. Might help to make a decision.

 

[DBK]

Ford transit mk5 150bhp drives really well. Ariund 1800 rpm at 60mph in 6th.occasionally have to change down on the steeper motorway hills. mpg now averaging 30mpg off the trip computer. 10000k on the clock.

Where does the torque figure come into this discussion. I rightly or wrongly think the greater the torque at any rpm means more grunt and less fiddling with the gears?

So if deciding bewtwen 130 or 150 bhps have a look at the tourque figures to see the percentage difference. Might help to make a decision.

A related factor is how flat the torque curve is. A big difference between the 130,150 and 180 engines is the 180 engine torque curve remains flat over a wide range: 1500 - 3000 rpm. The 130 and 150 engine have a narrower torque curve.

 

[robnchris]

Hi
Could I ask you what MPG you get as I have a similar van and thinking of remapping currenty 25 mpg on computer

We get anything from 25mpg to 31mpg depending on if there is a head or tail wind though the drive is so much better since the remap.

 

[pelican]

We get anything from 25mpg to 31mpg depending on if there is a head or tail wind though the drive is so much better since the remap.

Hi
Thank you for the reply so I guess it probably not worth doing as it is currently almost a dream to drive!
I suppose it may have been remapped before our purchase.

 

[gerry mcg]

i got 29mpg on my run from Glasgow to london yesterday .
400 miles, 62l (13.77 gal) in 7 hrs at 70mph most of the way, 55mph average speed.
2017 150hp Euro6 comformatic gearbox LH3 (high roof PVC chassis) 3500kg with 16" wheels and 10,000 miles on the clock

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pandas]

For a 3850kg van I wouldn't even consider the 130, although the 130 goes quite well it does not have the variable vane turbo and that can really catch you out on steep hill and hairpins, if comes of the turbo boost the engine practily stalls.
Last two vans we have had the 150 current van is 4500kg wish I had gone for the 180. The 150 is getting better now we have done a few miles hopefully will be better when fully run in at 15000 miles.
Why worry about consumption we don't do enough miles to worry only 8000-9000 a year. Current van was doing 21-22 now it's done 8000 up the 23-24 I'm happy with that.

Get the most powerful engine you can afford.

How are you finding the 150 bhp with your 4.5t now you have done more miles as I see I see from you trips lately you seem to be getting around well? We have just swapped from a fiat 3L 160 bhp which was a great engine, to a 2.3 180 bhp with a comfomatic gearbox on a 4.5t vehicle and slightly worried after only 300 miles that it going to be sufficient. Dealer said 'I am a doctor trust me when you have done 2k miles it will be a much better engine'?

 

[pandas]

I know the question is 130 vs 150, but have you thought about the 180 Euro 6?

We have the 180 and comfortmatic and to me seems a good combination, especially as it’s now loosening up .

Mpg wise, I just use the on screen display which shows 25.9 mpg over the recent 882 mile trip.

What weight is your vehicle and how many miles before you felt it was loosening up?

 

[Lenny HB]

How are you finding the 150 bhp with your 4.5t now you have done more miles as I see I see from you trips lately you seem to be getting around well? We have just swapped from a fiat 3L 160 bhp which was a great engine, to a 2.3 180 bhp with a comfomatic gearbox on a 4.5t vehicle and slightly worried after only 300 miles that it going to be sufficient. Dealer said 'I am a doctor trust me when you have done 2k miles it will be a much better engine'?

Started loosen up at 4k been going really well after it had done 8. - 9 k we are running at 4000 kg. Tyre wear appears to be high it's shod with Michelin Campers at 12000 miles front down to 5 mm, rear 5.5mm.
My mate has recently bought a 4500 kg Carthago E line with the 180, he says it pulls really well from new, he previously had a 150.

 

[pandas]

When the times comes try the Continental all weather tyres as they had good wear, better ride and the grip on wet grass was really very significantly better. thanks for the feedback on the engine.

 

[Lenny HB]

When the times comes try the Continental all weather tyres as they had good wear, better ride and the grip on wet grass was really very significantly better. thanks for the feedback on the engine.

Already made my mind up it's getting either Conti 4Season or Conti FourSeason both now have the snowflake marking.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pandas]

These two seem the same type?

 

[MillieMoocher]

What weight is your vehicle and how many miles before you felt it was loosening up?

Vehicle is Hymer 534, plated weight 3860 (paper exercise from the standard 3500).

Probably around 3,000 when it started to loosen up: now at 6,000 and it’s still getting better...I expect things will be bedded in next year as we get to nearer 15,000

 

[Lenny HB]

These two seem the same type?

No one has a more knoblly tread.

 

[Minxy]

We had the 150bhp engine with our previous Globecar too and it was lovely and pulled really, really well, now we have a 150bhp engine in our current Globecar which has just over 4,000 and has gradually been getting better and better with every mile - the new one is even better than the previous one.

 

[Conal]

12,000 miles in two years, 150bhp Comformatic AT Delaware 4.5 tonne, brim to brim 30mpg.

This includes Southern Spain and back but don’t travel more than 60 and often less on French and Spanish routes as I stay with the HGVs.

Glad we have the larger version as can feel underpowered between 1st and 2nd.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}